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Online Studio Class

Nashville Songwriting: Master The Art Of Lyricism, Storytelling, And Song

Learn the Nashville approach to songwriting and transform the way you write lyrics, tell stories, and make music in any genre. In this class, #1 Nashville songwriter Shane McAnally takes you into his studio and teaches you his complete songwriting process — the same process he’s used to write 48 career #1 songs. Follow along as he writes 3 brand new songs from start to finish, right in front of you, explaining everything he’s doing along the way.

$449.99

What’s included:

In-depth video lessons (7h 25m)
Step-by-step curriculum
Online and at your own pace
Watch on all devices
Unlimited lifetime access

Taught by

Shane McAnally

The #1 Nashville songwriter working today. Over 48 career #1 songs. Most nominated songwriter in CMA history. Considered one of the best living lyricists.

What you’ll learn

Shane McAnally's unique Nashville Songwriting process from start to finish

Finding inspiration & mining song ideas from everything around you

The complete art of wordplay & lyricism

Rhyme, cadence, and Nashville Math

Writing effective lyrics

Constructing original, unexpected hook phrases

Composing music & chord progressions

Effective storytelling through song

Writing memorable, compelling melodies

Song structure & arrangements

Collaboration, co-writing, and preparing for a Nashville-style session

How to find success as a songwriter

Class Overview

Write better songs & transform your lyrics

Often times, the difference between a good song and a truly great song is in the lyrics. Most up-and-coming songwriters find themselves writing songs with “unoriginal concepts” or “stale lyrics”, even despite a concerted effort otherwise. The result is that their songs are too “on the nose”, boring, or unremarkable. In this class, #1 Nashville songwriting Shane McAnally teaches everything he knows about writing truly original, memorable, Grammy-worth lyrics — the Nashville approach to songwriting. This approach isn’t just for country music, but can be applied to any genre of music, from pop and rock to R&B and hip hop, and everything in between. You’ll learn how to mine the world for truly original and interesting song concepts — everything you hear, read, see, or experience can be transformed into the idea or hook for a song. During class, Shane brings you into his studio and shares with you his entire creative process from start to finish. Follow along with Shane as he writes three brand new songs completely from scratch, starting from how he finds his initial ideas, all the way through mixing, mastering, and exporting the final tracks. For each song in class, Shane starts the song from a different point of inspiration: For Song #1, Shane focuses on wordplay and lyricism, finding inspiration from a song title. For Song #2, Shane focuses on storytelling, finding inspiration from a real-life personal story. For Song #3, Shane focuses on collaboration, finding inspiration from a co-writer in the room. Each of the songs builds on the ideas from the previous songs, allowing you to develop a comprehensive view of Shane’s process. Along the way, Shane explains everything that he’s doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique. There’s no where else you can get this level of intimate access to Shane McAnally’s brain and process. By the end of the class, you’ll develop a holistic understanding of the Nashville approach to songwriting, transforming the way you write lyrics, tell stories, and make music in any genre.

Lessons (13)

1. Finding Song Ideas

2. Bonus: Wordplay in Practice

3. Writing the Hook & Chorus

4. Writing the First Verse & Pre-Chorus

5. Finishing the Song

6. Finding the Story

7. Writing the Hook & Chorus

8. Writing the Verse & Pre-Chorus

9. Finishing the Song

10. Developing a Song with a Collaborator I (Brainstorming)

11. Developing a Song with a Collaborator II (Chorus)

12. Developing a Song with a Collaborator III (Finishing the Song)

13. How to Keep Learning

Apply what you learn

Follow Shane McAnally’s proven process, step by step

In the class, Shane McAnally breaks down his songwriting process into clear, actionable steps. Follow along with Shane’s process step by step and write your own Nashville-style songs, no matter the genre. You can also watch Shane’s process in full first and then bring the ideas, tools, and techniques into your own projects. By following Shane’s proven process, you’ll learn everything you need to write songs like this:

Who’s this class for?

You’re a fan of Shane McAnally and are curious to see what happens behind the scenes. You’re looking for inspiration and access to a world you normally can’t see.

You want to learn exactly how Shane McAnally does what he does. Watch his real, start-to-finish process, including how he navigates every decision, setback, and more.

You want to know all of Shane McAnally’s insider secrets — the exact tools and techniques he uses, his hard-won lessons, and well-guarded industry secrets.

meet your instructor

Shane McAnally

Shane McAnally has written over 48 career #1 songs and is the most nominated songwriter in CMA history. He's spent his career in Nashville, writing songs for many of the most well-known artists in country and pop music, like Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Hunt, Halsey, Kenny Chesney, Lady A., John Legend, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, the Jonas Brothers and many others. In Shane's Studio, he's sharing his real, behind-the-scenes songwriting process: Watch him write original songs from start to finish, on camera, as he explains everything he's doing and thinking in detail. This Studio is designed to help you learn the Nashville approach to songwriting by seeing how Shane does it firsthand.

A better kind of online class

Apprenticeship-Style Learning ™

In Studio Classes, creators take you into their studios and teach you everything they actually do behind the scenes. Learn by observing the real process like an apprentice.

The Start-To-Finish Process

Instead of watching surface level tutorials, watch the entire start-to-finish process of a creator to uncover every idea, decision, tool, and technique used throughout their journey.

Vulnerable & Open

At Studio, creators step into the vulnerable arena and share everything. Every idea, setback, and triumph is included. Creators openly share the full process, not just the final output.

Learn Insider Secrets

On Studio, accessing the world’s guarded knowledge has never been easier. Creators share their secrets, tips and tricks that are impossible to find elsewhere.

Watch On All Devices

Whether you’re at home or on the go, you’ll always have access to Behind The Scenes videos across all of your devices including mobile and tablets.

Unlimited Lifetime Access

On Studio, you get unlimited lifetime access to every class you purchase. Pay once and use your class lessons as valuable references forever.

Frequently asked questions

$449.99

What’s included:

In-depth video lessons (7h 25m)
Step-by-step curriculum
Online and at your own pace
Watch on all devices
Unlimited lifetime access